Irresistibly Chewy No-Bake Cinnamon Toast Crunch Granola Bars: Your New Favorite Snack!
There’s nothing quite like the comforting crunch and cinnamon-sugar swirl of a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. Now, imagine transforming that beloved breakfast into a convenient, chewy, and utterly delicious granola bar! These Cinnamon Toast Crunch Granola Bars offer the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and satisfyingly crunchy texture, all wrapped up in a simple no-bake recipe. They are truly a family favorite, perfect for quick breakfasts, lunchbox treats, or an afternoon energy boost. Plus, making homemade snacks like these means you know exactly what goes into them, making them a more wholesome alternative to store-bought options.
Crafting your own snacks at home is a rewarding experience, whether you’re aiming for something healthy and energizing like Peanut Butter Protein Bars or indulging in a delightful sweet treat such as Biscoff Granola Bars. These Cinnamon Toast Crunch Granola Bars perfectly bridge the gap, offering a playful twist on a classic while being incredibly easy to prepare. They are an absolute game-changer for busy households looking for quick and tasty grab-and-go options that everyone will love.
This delightful recipe has been a staple on our blog since 2014, evolving from our popular Chewy Granola Bars. The addition of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal takes a simple granola bar to an entirely new level, infusing it with that unmistakable cinnamon-sugar flavor and delightful crunch. It’s a nostalgic treat that appeals to both kids and adults, bringing a touch of childhood joy to every bite.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch is undeniably one of my all-time favorite cereals, and incorporating it into these granola bars was an inspired idea! The cereal not only adds a burst of flavor but also provides an appealing texture that makes these bars truly stand out. If you’re looking for more fun ways to use this iconic cereal, try out our S’mores Snack Mix for another fantastic and easy-to-make treat!
Why You’ll Love These Granola Bars
These homemade Cinnamon Toast Crunch Granola Bars are destined to become a staple in your snack rotation. Here’s why:
- No-Bake Simplicity: Skip the oven! This recipe requires minimal cooking, making it perfect for hot days or when you need a quick snack without heating up your kitchen.
- Quick & Easy: With only about 15 minutes of active prep and cook time, you can have these bars ready to chill in no time. Ideal for busy schedules!
- Irresistible Flavor: The classic cinnamon-sugar taste of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, combined with gooey honey and rich butter, creates an incredibly satisfying flavor profile.
- Perfect Texture: Enjoy a wonderfully chewy base with delightful little pockets of crunch from the cereal and rice Krispies, complemented by melty mini chocolate chips.
- Kid-Friendly & Customizable: A hit with children and adults alike, these bars can also be easily customized with additional mix-ins like nuts, seeds, or dried fruit.
Essential Ingredients for Cinnamon Toast Crunch Granola Bars
Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card with precise measurements.
- Butter: I always recommend using unsalted butter in baking and cooking. This allows you to control the overall saltiness of your dish. It forms the rich base of our binding syrup.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness and helps create that wonderful chewy texture. Its molasses content contributes to the bars’ softness.
- Honey: Crucial for both sweetness and binding. Honey provides that essential stickiness that holds all the oats and cereal together without crumbling.
- Quick Cooking Oats: These oats are pre-cooked and rolled thinner, which means they absorb moisture faster and provide a softer, chewier texture ideal for no-bake bars. Old-fashioned oats can also work but will result in a slightly chewier bar.
- Cinnamon: Enhances the cinnamon flavor from the cereal, adding warmth and depth to the bars. A little extra goes a long way in boosting the classic taste.
- Rice Krispies (Toasted Rice Cereal): Contributes a light, airy crispness that balances the chewiness of the oats and the heavier crunch of the Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal: The star ingredient! This cereal provides the signature cinnamon-sugar flavor and a delightful, satisfying crunch. Using both whole and crushed pieces adds dimension.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: While optional, mini chocolate chips melt beautifully into the warm mixture and provide bursts of chocolatey goodness in every bite. Their small size ensures even distribution.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla enhances all the other flavors, adding a touch of aromatic warmth and complexity to the overall taste.
Simple Steps to Make Cinnamon Toast Crunch Granola Bars
Making these no-bake granola bars is incredibly straightforward. Follow these steps for perfect, delicious results every time:
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, gently stir together the quick-cooking oats, the majority of the Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal (reserving some for topping), the Rice Krispies, and the ground cinnamon. Ensure they are well combined so the flavors are evenly distributed. Set this mixture aside.
- Prepare the Sweet Syrup: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter, honey, and light brown sugar over medium heat. Stir continuously until the butter is fully melted and the sugar has dissolved. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat slightly and allow it to simmer for exactly 2 minutes. This crucial step helps the bars set properly. Remove the saucepan from the heat immediately and stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Combine and Coat: Carefully pour the warm syrup mixture over the dry oat and cereal mixture in the large bowl. Using a sturdy spatula, stir thoroughly until all the dry ingredients are completely coated with the sticky syrup. Work quickly, as the mixture will start to cool and become less pliable.
- Press into Pan: Transfer the coated mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan (or an 8×8 for thicker bars). The key to firm, non-crumbling bars is to press the mixture down very firmly and evenly across the bottom of the pan. You can use the back of your spatula, a piece of parchment paper, or even another smaller pan to press down really hard. This compression is vital for the bars to hold their shape once cut.
- Add Toppings: Evenly sprinkle the mini chocolate chips and the remaining crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal over the pressed granola bar base. Gently press these toppings into the mixture with your hands or the back of a spatula so they adhere well and don’t fall off when you slice the bars.
- Cool and Set: Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature for at least 2 hours. For faster setting, you can place them in the refrigerator for about an hour. Once firm, remove from the pan, slice into individual bars, and store them as directed below.
Pro Tips for Granola Bar Perfection
Achieving the perfect chewy yet firm granola bar is easy with these helpful tips:
- Mini Chocolate Chips are Best: I prefer using mini chocolate chips because their smaller size ensures you get a delightful hint of chocolate in every single bite. If you only have regular-sized chocolate chips, they will certainly work, but the distribution might be less even.
- Timing the Syrup is Key: The 2-minute boiling time for the butter, honey, and brown sugar mixture is critical. Too short, and the syrup won’t be concentrated enough, leading to crumbly bars that don’t hold together. Too long, and the sugar will caramelize too much, resulting in overly hard bars that are difficult to bite into. Use a kitchen timer and watch the mixture carefully once it starts bubbling.
- Oat Type Matters for Texture: Quick-cooking oats are ideal for this no-bake recipe as they soften quickly and contribute to a chewier bar. While old-fashioned (rolled) oats can be used, they will yield a slightly firmer, chewier texture due to their larger size and less processed nature. Adjusting the cooling time might be necessary if using old-fashioned oats.
- Press, Press, Press! The most common reason for granola bars falling apart is insufficient pressing into the pan. You need to apply significant pressure to compact the mixture thoroughly. Using a piece of parchment paper on top and pressing with another pan or a heavy flat object can help achieve a very dense and uniform bar.
- Grease Your Pan Well: Ensure your baking pan is adequately greased, or line it with parchment paper with an overhang on the sides. This will make it much easier to lift the entire slab of granola bars out of the pan for cutting.
- Even Cereal Crushing: For the topping, crush your Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal into varying sizes – some finer crumbs and some larger pieces. This adds diverse textures and visual appeal.
Delicious Variations & Customizations
While these Cinnamon Toast Crunch Granola Bars are fantastic as is, don’t hesitate to experiment and make them your own!
- Nutty Crunch: Add 1/2 cup of chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds to the oat mixture for extra protein and crunch.
- Dried Fruit Delight: Fold in 1/2 cup of your favorite dried fruits, such as chopped apricots, cranberries, or raisins, for a burst of chewiness and natural sweetness.
- Seed Boost: Incorporate chia seeds, flax seeds, or hemp hearts for added nutrients and a different texture.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of nutmeg or a dash of allspice can further enhance the warm cinnamon flavor.
- White Chocolate Twist: Swap out or add white chocolate chips for a creamier, sweeter chocolate experience.
- Different Cereals: Experiment with other sweet cereals if you’re feeling adventurous, though Cinnamon Toast Crunch is truly special here!
Storage and Shelf Life
Proper storage is essential to keep your homemade granola bars fresh and delicious.
Once the bars have completely cooled and set up, you can carefully remove them from the pan (if using parchment paper, simply lift them out) and slice them into individual bars. Store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To prevent them from sticking together, especially in warmer climates, it’s best to place a layer of wax paper or parchment paper between each layer of bars. If you need to store them for longer, they can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, though they might become a bit firmer. For long-term storage, individually wrap the bars in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight freezer-safe bag or container. They will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature for a quick snack!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Why are my granola bars crumbling? This is usually due to not boiling the syrup mixture long enough (it needs to reach a sticky consistency) or not pressing the mixture firmly enough into the pan. Ensure you cook the syrup for the full 2 minutes and press the mixture down with significant force.
- Can I use old-fashioned oats instead of quick-cooking oats? Yes, you can. However, the texture will be slightly different – old-fashioned oats will result in a chewier, more rustic bar.
- Can I reduce the sugar? You can try to slightly reduce the brown sugar, but keep in mind that sugar is not just for sweetness; it also contributes to the binding and texture of the bars. Significant reductions might affect how well the bars hold together.
- How do I crush the Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal? You can gently crush it by hand, place it in a Ziploc bag and roll over it with a rolling pin, or pulse it briefly in a food processor for more uniform crumbs.
- Are these granola bars healthy? While they contain oats and some fiber, they are also a sweet treat with sugar and butter. They are a better alternative to many processed store-bought options, but should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
More Delicious Homemade Snack Recipes
- Ritz Churro Bites
- Cheese Chex Mix
- Chocolate Protein Balls
- Homemade Rosemary Olive Oil Crackers
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Granola Bars
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Ingredients
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 3 cups quick cooking oats
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup toasted rice cereal (like Rice Krispies)
- 1 cup Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal, partially crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Topping
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal, crushed, for topping
Instructions
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In a large bowl, stir together the quick-cooking oats, the 1 cup of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal (partially crushed), the toasted rice cereal, and the ground cinnamon. Set this dry mixture aside.
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In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, honey, and light brown sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter is melted and the sugar has dissolved. Once the mixture starts to gently bubble, reduce the heat to low and continue to cook for exactly 2 minutes. This step is crucial for the bars to set correctly. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
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Pour the warm syrup mixture over the oat and cereal mixture. Stir vigorously with a sturdy spatula until all the dry ingredients are thoroughly coated. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking pan (or 8×8 for thicker bars) lined with parchment paper. Press the mixture down very, very firmly and evenly across the bottom of the pan. The more compressed it is, the less likely the bars will crumble.
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Evenly sprinkle the mini chocolate chips and the reserved 1/2 cup of crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal over the top of the pressed bars. Gently press the chips and cereal into the surface. Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature for at least 2 hours, or refrigerate for 1 hour, until firm. Once set, slice into bars and store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Recipe Info
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Enjoy your homemade Cinnamon Toast Crunch Granola Bars!